Introducing some Ecology Terms

Ecosystem All biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components and their interactions with each other. These interactions occur in a defined area, however, this area is not limited by size (eg. Forest, Meadow, Log).

Ecosystem Ecosystems are characterized by flow of energy through food webs, production and decomposition of organic matter, and cycling of nutrient elements.

Trophic Level Trophic levels are the feeding position in a food chain such as primary producers, herbivore, primary carnivore, etc. Green plants form the first trophic level, the producers.

Trophic Levels Herbivores form the second trophic level. Carnivores form the third and even the fourth trophic levels.

Pyramid of Energy Flow A pyramid of energy flow displays how energy is distributed within a food chain. It displays the amount of energy absorbed at each level, the amount of energy that is consumed by the higher trophic level and the amount of energy lost to heat and death.

Abiotic Factors Abiotic components are the nonliving components of the biosphere. Chemical and geological factors, such as rocks and minerals. Physical factors, such as temperature and weather, are referred to as abiotic components.

Biotic Factors Living things or their materials that directly or indirectly affect an organism in its environment. Living things or their materials that directly or indirectly affect an organism in its environment. This would include organisms, their presence, parts, interaction, and wastes. This would include organisms, their presence, parts, interaction, and wastes. Factors such as parasitism, disease, and predation (one animal eating another) would also be classified as biotic factors.

Consumers All the organisms that can not make their own food (and need producers) are called heterotrophs. In an ecosystem heterotrophs are called consumers because they depend on others. They obtain food by eating other organisms.

Producers Organisms, such as plants, that produce their own food are called autotrophs. They are called producers because all of the species of the ecosystem depend on them.

Decomposers Decomposers and scavengers break down dead plants and animals. They also break down the waste (poop) of other organisms.

Detritivores Organisms that recycle decomposing organic material, returning it into the food chain. Eg. Earthworms eat rotting plant leaves and other debris. Dung beetles eat feces (poop).

Carboniferous Period Occurred from about 354 to 290 million years ago. Carboniferous means coal bearing. A period of time when plants and vegetation accumulated and later converted to coal.